Proof
coins usually receive two strikes from the coin press which gives them
an increased sharpness in overall detail. Because the planchets and dies
were highly polished before striking the coin will also have an
extremely brilliant mirror-like surface. Some early Proof coins will
exhibit a frosted effect. These frosted Proofs are highly sought after
prizes to the serious collector and specialist in Proof coins. In recent
years Proof coins have purposely been produced with a very strong cameo
effect which gives them a mirror-like field and a contrasting frosty
effect on all the raised surfaces of the coin.
Single
Proof coins were available from the Mint, at a premium over their face
value, in the years in which they were minted. In 1936 the Mint started
offering Proof coins in complete sets, cent, nickel, dime, quarter and
half dollar. These sets originally sold for $1.87 each. In 1942 there
were some Proof Sets issued with two nickels. The regular composition as
well as the silver. The production and sale of Proof Sets was suspended
in 1943 and was not resumed until 1950.
All
Proof Sets issued from 1936 to 1972 include the cent, nickel, dime,
quarter and half dollar; from 1973 till 1981 the dollar was added and
then removed from the sets in 1982. From our list below of the various
links to Jake's Proof Set prices you will also note that there are what
is called Prestige Proof Sets. These sets were first produced in 1983
and will also contain either a Commemorative dollar or half dollar and
dollar for that year. The production of Prestige Proof Sets was
suspended with the last issue being 1997. There are also Silver Proof
Sets starting in 1992. These sets will have a 90% silver dime, quarter
and half dollar like the earlier sets issued form 1936 to 1964. The
Silver Premier sets are similar to the Silver Proof Sets and differ only
by being packaged in a more deluxe case. Production of the Premier
Silver Proof Sets were discontinued in 1999.
In
1999 there was a major transformation in the packaging of Proof Sets
with the issuance of the 50 State Commemorative quarters. Proof Sets
were issued as a 9 coin set which comprised of 2
different holders for the coins. One holder contains the cent, nickel,
dime and half dollar. The other holder has all 5 of the 50 State
Commemorative quarters issued for that year. You could also purchase
just the 5 quarters separately if you choose.
Sets from 1999 were available both as a regular copper-nickel clad
composition for the dime, quarter and half dollar and in the 90% silver
for these coins.
In
2000 the Sacagawea Dollar coin was added to both the regular issue Proof
Set and the 90% Silver version sets creating a 10 coin set. The new
golden dollar was included with the display case for the Cent, Nickel,
Dime and Half-Dollar.
Proof
Sets have always been a very popular part of numismatics. Some
collector's will collect one set of every year issued from 1936 to
present date while others will start their collection with the more
affordable "flat pack" issues from 1955 and continue on up to
present day issues. Another popular way these sets are collected is by
various nostalgic years to commemorate a significant occasion like an
Anniversary, a Birth Year, Wedding Year, Graduation Day, etc.
Only
the current year Proof Sets may be ordered from the United States
Mint, Customer Service Center, 10001 Aerospace Drive, Lanham, MD 20706.
Just send them a letter requesting to be put on their mailing list and
you will be notified as to the current prices and deadline for ordering.
1936 To Mid-year 1955
|
From 1936 till approximately mid 1955 all Proof Sets were issued in small cardboard boxes in which the coins were housed in cellophane envelopes. Most of the early Proof Sets have since been removed from the cardboard boxes and the coins placed in a plastic holder to protect them from tarnishing. |
| From late 1955 until 1964 the Mint packaged Proof coins in a flat, transparent cellophane package. Proof Sets in this type of packaging are referred to in the industry as "flat packs." |
1955 To 1964
|
1965 - 1966 - 1967
During these three years no regular Proof Sets were issued. The U.S. Mint did however produce a sets of coins for those years and the coins are Proof-Like in appearance but not of the same "high quality" as regular Proof coins. These sets of coins are called "Special Mint Sets."
For more details on the "Special Mint Sets" review Jake's Mint Set educational page.
|
1968 To 1972
|
Starting in 1968 the Mint switched the production of Proof Sets from the Philadelphia facility to the San Francisco Mint. All of the Proof Sets produced from 1968 will have the "S" Mintmark on each of the coins. There are some 1970 Dimes, 1971 Nickels, that in error did not receive the "S" Mintmark and these are very Rare and valuable. The packaging was also changed it to a more rigid plastic case which has gone through several design changes since than. |
Large and Small Date Sets of 1960 & 1970
The large-date and small-date sets of 1960 and 1970 are distinguished by the size "0" in the date. The 1960 set is somewhat easier to see the difference between the large "0" in the large-date set and small "0" in the small-date set date especially when comparing the two sets side-by-side. The 1970 small-date set, although it does have a smaller "0," it is easier to distinguished the difference in the two sets by the fact that the "7" and the "0" in the date align at the top and on the large-date set the "0" which is very close in size to the small-date set is higher than the "7" in the date
|
1973 To 1979
|
The production of 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarters, Half-Dollars and Dollar coins started in 1975. Proof Sets issued in 1975 include the Cent, Nickel and Dime dated for that year and the newly issued Bicentennial coins with the duel date. The Bicentennial coins in these sets are made of a copper-nickel composition.
|
1976 3 Coin 40% Silver
|
In 1976 to Commemorate our country's Bicentennial Anniversary the U.S. Mint issued a special three piece set with a quarter, half-dollar and dollar which are 40% silver and a regular six coin set in copper-nickel clad composition.
|
1979 & 1981 Type II Proof Sets
The 1979 and 1981 Type II Proof Sets have clearer Mintmark's than the Type I sets for those years and are much scarcer and higher in price. Premiums for these sets require all 6 Coins to be of the Type two variety. |
1980 to 1982
|
This package design created a better display case but proved to be short lived. In 1982 when the U.S. Mint failed to produce any additional Susan B. Anthony Dollars the open port was filled with a Mint Treasury token. |
1983
|
1984 to 1998
|
1999 9 Coin Set
|
Finally, sensibility in the package design saw the U.S. Mint return to the packaging style of 1968 for Proof Sets with a blue outer cardboard box. Another change came about from 1984 to 1993 neon the new Mint director "Donna Pope" changed the the outer sleeve and the inner display card to the color purple. From 1994 to 1998 the packaging color was once again changed by the direction of the new Mint Director Philip Dehil to a rich looking green.
The 1999 Proof Set introduced the new Statehood Quarter designs and for the the first time the annual collector's set would be issued in two cases. One case holds the cent, nickel, dime and half-dollar, the other has the five Statehood quarters for for the year of issue. The box with the blue trim design introduced in 1999 is a visual indicator for the clad composition sets of coins and the red trimmed box denotes the 90% silver issue. Collectors were also give the option of buying just the five clad proof quarters as a separate set.
Warning - Collectors need to be aware of alterations to 1999 Proof Set. The cases made for these sets are no longer sealed by the Mint. In 2000, version of this set with 10-1999 dated coins were offered for sale at various online auctions. Dubious individuals took 2000 sets apart and added the Proof Susan B. Anthony Dollar which was only issued as a single proof coin in 1999. |
|
1999 Silver Proof Set continued the silver version of the annual Proof set re-introduced in 1992. The inclusion of the new Statehood Quarter designs and the first time the annual collectors set would be issued in more than one case. The red box design is a visual indicator for the Silver composition coins. Like the deception indicated in the 1999 clad set being offered in 10 coins, so did the Silver set have this same problem.
The silver coins in this set include the Dime, all five state quarters and the half-dollar. Unlike the clad sets, the Proof Silver quarters were never offered by the Mint as a separate 5 coin purchase option. |
|
-
